The book explores the legacy of war in three generations of men from the Butler family. Manilla is a graduate of West Virginia University, Marshall University and the Iowa Writers Workshop. She has lived in both West Virginia and Texas, the settings for "Shrapnel."

Her next novel, "The Patron Saint of Ugly," was just purchased by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and will be published in spring 2014.

Authors at Tamarack

BECKLEY, W.Va. -- The lineup for author appearances in November at Tamarack is as follows:

Nov. 10: Melinda Chambers, "The Day the Snapdragon Snapped"

Nov. 16: Justine Rutherford, "Root Jumper"

Nov. 17: Tod Faller, "I'm LISTENING!"

Nov. 24: Ed Rehbein, "WV Waterfalls"

Children's book

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Heidi Houck, teacher and librarian at Mountain View Middle School in Monroe County, has published her first book, titled "A Special St. Nicholas Day."

In the book, a special family tradition is getting ready to take place. As they do every year, Heidi, Holly and Hanna are ready to listen to Mama tell the story of St. Nicholas and his special feast day on Dec. 6.

The book costs $9.99. Order from bookstores or online booksellers Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com.